Why One Tam?

It’s through community support that Mt. Tam has been protected for 100 years. And it’s through One Tam that we can protect it for 100 more. But we need your help. Tam’s land managers have the honor of protecting some of the most beautiful, ecologically rich, and well-loved open spaces in the region, and an important source of drinking water. To meet their missions, they must contend with numerous challenges.

One Tam seeks to raise awareness about the need to maintain the long-term health of Mt. Tam, engage more volunteers in caring for its treasured resources, and renew the spirit of philanthropy that has been so fundamental to the preservation of Mt. Tam over the past century.

Climate change may alter the frequency, intensity and duration of droughts, floods, heat waves and wildfires. Tam’s lands will serve as vital refuges and dispersal corridors for species coping with what may be rapid and severe environmental changes.

Untapped Community Support

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Despite a long and deep history of stewardship on Mt. Tam, there is currently no way to donate funds or volunteer to support the mountain as a whole, and current park supporters are not reflective of the demographic diversity necessary to sustain support of these lands into the future.

Programs at Capacity

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Volunteers are being turned away and school groups put on wait lists because individual agencies simply do not have the capacity to accommodate them.

Limited Amenities

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Well-worn trails, picnic areas and facilities, a shortage of restrooms, and parking and traffic issues in popular areas of the mountain affect the enjoyment and safety of her visitors. Erosion and hydrological changes caused by deferred trail maintenance are also harming stream and wetland habitats and water quality.

Inadequate Interpretation

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Wayfinding and interpretive signage is inconsistent and does not adequately meet the needs of Mt. Tam’s visitors nor protect its resources. Interpretive staff and programming are also in short supply.

People’s love for Mt. Tam transcends the jurisdictional boundaries of the agencies responsible for its stewardship. The Tamalpais Lands Collaborative (TLC) will allow land managers to work together in a way that reflects this holistic view, and builds on the community’s long history of conservation, stewardship and giving.

The TLC Approach

A Common Vision

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Like the plants and animals that live on these lands, most people view the mountain as a single, interconnected place. The TLC offers a coordinated approach that will demonstrate the power of collective impact and a common vision.

Borderless Solutions

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Through the TLC, land managers can work together to address resource issues — especially those that do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries such as invasive weeds, trails and streams — and do so in a more holistic, efficient and cost effective way.

Philanthropic Potential

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The TLC will build upon Marin’s long philanthropic tradition by providing a way for the community to support priority conservation and restoration projects, education programs, visitor amenities and stewardship activities.

Broad Community Engagement

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Together, we can teach and cultivate the next generation of stewards, reach a wider range of audiences, improve interpretive programming and offer volunteers more ways to share their time and talents with the mountain.

Increased Capacity

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Leveraging existing talent, experience, ideas, and resources through collaboration will result in efficiencies never before possible. Additional financial and staff support will further elevate our ability to protect the mountain and serve the public.

Proven Success

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The TLC builds on the partnership approach that has been evolving among Marin land agencies over the past two decades. Rather than forming a new organization, the TLC relies on the Parks Conservancy’s existing infrastructure and its communications and fundraising expertise.

To unite resources and expertise, coordinate plans, and care for the mountain in a more holistic manner, the four public agencies responsible for Mt. Tam (California State Parks, Marin County Parks, Marin Municipal Water District, and the National Park Service) have teamed with the nonprofit Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy to form the Tamalpais Lands Collaborative.

California State Parks

Mount Tamalpais State Park, one of 280 units under the California Department of Parks and Recreation, encompasses 6,300 acres of land on Mt. Tam.

National Park Service (Golden Gate National Parks)

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

For three decades, the nonprofit Parks Conservancy has worked with the public agencies and community organizations on restoration projects, trails, and volunteer and youth programs in Marin County. The Conservancy is the lead philanthropic organization for One Tam.

The TLC partner organizations are committed to continued community outreach, and more information will be included here as our engagement unfolds. If your community stakeholder group would like to have a briefing on the TLC, please contact info@onetam.org.